Mary R.

Hinz

Mary R. Hinz, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday December 10, 2025, at Home Again Memory Care in Cambridge, WI.

Mary was born on June 10, 1937, in Ashton, WI. She attended high school at Holy Family Academy, adopting the name Sister Helen, earning a BA in mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Holy Family College in Manitowoc, WI. She continued post graduate work in chemistry and physics at Bowling Green State University, Boston College, and Montana State University.

After dedicating many years to her spiritual life in the convent and fostering young minds as a teacher of math and chemistry, Mary made the heartfelt decision to leave, driven by her desire to start a family. She met Michael R. Hinz and they married on August 16, 1973 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, residing in Lake Mills, WI.

Mary worked as a science and math teacher and spent several years at the United States Post Office before retiring. She volunteered regularly with the literacy network. She was actively involved in several card clubs at Taylor Ridge Senior Housing in Cottage Grove, enjoyed playing bingo at the VFW, and was an avid fan of the Packers, Bucks, and Brewers.

The role she relished the most in her life was that of "Grammy". A devoted grandmother, Mary could regularly be found volunteering in the classrooms of her grandchildren, attending school events, or baking her famous cut out cookies throughout the year.

Mary is survived by her three children, Mike (Helen  Gibson) Hinz, Karen (Dan Rolfs) Hinz, and Nate (Maria Mantey) Hinz; four grandchildren, Caleb (Hanna Sprout) Wright, Skylar Rolfs, Hugo Mantey, and Margot Mantey; her great grandchildren, Roma and Gwen Wright, and sibling Syl Acker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael R. Hinz; parents, George and Helen Acker; brothers, Richard, George Jr., and Donald Acker; sister, Liz Acker; sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Acker and Jean Acker; niece, Tammy Sibson; and nephew, Kyle Acker.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 19th, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Claussen Funeral Home in Lake Mills.

Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary' s name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association: Wisconsin Chapter.

A burial at a later date will be held in Rock Lake Cemetery.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com